Trend Spotting at ICFF: Modern Luxe

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, where designers gather to show off their latest and greatest to buyers and journalists, is a sign of what's to come in the world of modern housewares. On the horizon: rich materials, like gold and marble, used in new, unexpected ways, for a look that's clean but luxurious.

Shown above: 1 & 2. The humble mortar and pestle goes glam with a traditional shape, re-imagined in wood and glass by Norwegian designer Sara Gressberg. 3. Lately I can't get enough of velvet upholstery, and this clean-lined sofa from Sandback really hit the spot. It's even more beautiful in person — almost exactly the color of the dress Scarlett O'Hara made from her mother's curtains. 4 & 5. This is the Rudi light from Roll & Hill. I love the cord detailing at the top.

6. A sleek marble sink with a concealed drain from AF New York. 7. In the hands of designer Payton Turner of Flat Vernacular Wallpapers, metallics keep a traditional print from being too cutesy. 8 & 9. Swallows, captured in different phases of flight, make an elegant way to mark the time. New from Haoshi Design. 10. A shiny table and a rich wooden chair are natural partners at Autobahn.

11. This concrete tape dispenser from Japanese designer Tatsuya Akita is glamorous and modern, with a pleasing heft. 12 & 13. The scamp table from Blu Dot comes in many color combinations, but the copper wires/marble top is my favorite. 14. This little gold heart vase from The New English would look lovely with or without flowers. 15. A marble and lucite table from Ztem Stone Creations.

16 & 17. I loved this table from Groundwork — it's marble with a modern feel. The butterfly joints rendered in marble are a fun detail. 18. A rattan-handled tea service: modern with a touch of old-world kitsch, from British designer Nick Munro. 19. This design reminds me a bit of the Sputnik chandeliers suddenly cropping up all over, but this is a bit of a cleaner take. From Apparatus. 20. At Guild Nines, a George Nelson-esque bench gets updated with gold legs.

21 & 22. The Work Lamp by Design House Stockholm is available in either silver or gold. 23. From John Housman, a dining chair that pairs lucite and wood. 24 & 25. Marble and wood 'Duplex' table from Phase Design. Yellow coffee table book and bird not included (as far as I know).